The Greater Ridgewood Restoration Corporation (GRRC) has cut back staff hours and services due to a lack of funding.

"In the past, we've always had a cushion of old money," said Paul Kerzner, the president of the GRRC. "Now we have to redouble our efforts to go to our residents."

Kerzner said a past budget of $60,000 a year allowed two vans, five days a week, to clean graffiti through community board 5. Supervisors were paid minimum wage for their work according to Kerzner.

"Because of the cutbacks in the last two years, now there is just one van out three days a week," he said.

Kerzner said with further cuts, he is expecting there to be even less cleaning. "It's all a downward spiral," he said.

Currently, Kerzner said the GRRC greatly depends on contributions from the community. “We’re getting the word out and tapping into resources we haven’t thought of yet,” he said. Kerzner said, stressing that they are accepting donations of anywhere from $5 to $50. “Really, it’s however much people want to give,” he said.

Visit GRCC’s website at www.ridgewoodrestoration.org to make a donation through Pay Pay; call at (718) 366-8721; or write at 68-56 Forest Ave., Ridgewood.